BB: LL: Liberty League

[BoomerIL]

Predictions:

Today:  RPI and Vassar split 1-1

Weekend:   Rochester splits with Clarkson  2-2
Skidmore sweeps Union 4-0
SLU splits with RPI 2-2
Vassar splits with Hamilton 1-1

Rochester had better do more than a 2-2 split with Clarkson.  Going from #21 in the polls with 145 points down to being out of the top 25 with only 2 votes, speaks volumes about losing those games to Skidmore.  If Rochester doesn't far any better than a 2-2 split, they may not host the conference tournament this year.

[DefenseWins]

what are the hosting scenarios? has anyone broken down the possibilities of UR not hosting?

[reddragon00]

BoomerIL.....I do agree with you.  It looks like the Rochester offense never got off the bus for the weekend.  The top of the order on Sunday did NOTHING!  That is tough on a Conference weekend.  Your all know that teams are tested during the year.  This maybe Rochester's test.  Being a young team, they better hop they wake up before Wednesday's game vs. Fisher.  That is a big game for them.  As for the polls.......those guys rank programs, not teams.  Look at the pre-season poll and look at it know.  Never cared for them and they dont mean a whole lot.  Hope ROchester gets to host because if it is at Skidmore.....WOW what a dump of a field.  Haven't seen it is about 5 years but it was god aweful then.  Did they do any work to it?

[spectator123]

what are the hosting scenarios? has anyone broken down the possibilities of UR not hosting?

Rochester needs 3 of 4 vs Clarkson  to host at home without any help from anyone else

[baseballislife]

I really do not see the "sky falling" for UR.  Even after the Skidmore series, they still lead the league (looking at league games only) with 9.3 runs per game.  Only RPI is even close at 8.2.  In baseball, everybody has off days, off series', etc.

I would put UR's top 4 hitters against anybody in the region.

They are still 17-3 in the league and 26-7 overall........and still in the drivers seat.

[airball55]

Baseball ebbs and flows.  Rochester is fine, they have won a couple of games they could have easily lost and vice versa.  They have a nice club, but, are not like a Cortland in the Sunyac where they would have to have an off weekend to not win the conference tourny.  Weekend predictions:

Vassar/Hamilton- Vassar gets em both, I am on the Brewer train!
SLU/ RPI-  I have the Engineers getting 3 of 4, still trying to figure out who these guys are
Skidmore/Union-  I have Skidmore getting 3 of 4, Union usually gets one in this series
Rochester/Clarkson-  Tough call here.  Clarkson is dangerous, but that's a tough place to play, I will go with 2-2 but could see Rochester getting 3 here.  Rochester is still in the mix for an at large even if they don't win the conf. tournament and need to pile up home wins... could another Medaille/Keuka/D'youville/ or other crap school game be in the mix to up the numbers??  In region wins are vital.

Regional Rankings Prediction:

1. Cortland
2. Rochester
3. St. John Fisher
4. Skidmore
5. Farmingdale (awful schedule!!) and because we have to have someone from this league
6. tie-  Plattsburgh, Oneonta
8. RPI

Thoughts??

[BBFan62]

Well, as far as hosting the conference tournament, it appears it can only be Rochester, Skidmore or Clarkson.

Currently:
Rochester 17 -3 Games left:4 - Clarkson
Skidmore 11-5 Games:8 Union 4, RPI 4
Clarkson 10-6 Games: 8  Rochester 4, St. Lawrence 4

ST. Lawrence 9-7, games 8 RPI 4, Clarkson 4

RPI 9-7 games: 8 SLU 4, Skidmore 4
As Boomer stated, Rochester needs 3 to lock it up. Anything less could require outside help. Fasten the seat belts; it's going to be fun and nerve racking!

[DefenseWins]

I really do not see the "sky falling" for UR.  Even after the Skidmore series, they still lead the league (looking at league games only) with 9.3 runs per game.  Only RPI is even close at 8.2.  In baseball, everybody has off days, off series', etc.

I would put UR's top 4 hitters against anybody in the region.

They are still 17-3 in the league and 26-7 overall........and still in the drivers seat.

It is not very often that an offense wins you the big games or the LL title or SUNYAC title etc.... Pitching and defense. You can rant about UR's offense all you want but if their pitchers do not produce they will not win.

[baseballislife]

DefenseWins,

You are right.....they will have to step it up.  That said....their runs allowed per game (league) is still third best of the seven teams.  Come tourney time, they will have to be the best.

[BoomerIL]

I really do not see the "sky falling" for UR.  Even after the Skidmore series, they still lead the league (looking at league games only) with 9.3 runs per game.  Only RPI is even close at 8.2.  In baseball, everybody has off days, off series', etc.

I would put UR's top 4 hitters against anybody in the region.

They are still 17-3 in the league and 26-7 overall........and still in the drivers seat.

It is not very often that an offense wins you the big games or the LL title or SUNYAC title etc.... Pitching and defense. You can rant about UR's offense all you want but if their pitchers do not produce they will not win.

Skidmore's pitchers have been flying under the radar most of the season.  I had notes with me during the Vassar series that compared the ERA's and BA's of the LL teams.  Skidmore's team ERA's were, and are the best.  UR is in the middle 4's.  Not good, but not bad.  We all know pitching and errorless ball are probably the most important.  UR though, has some other assets like their team BA's (not last weekend) and lots of speed.  They can create scoring opporunities top to bottom.

I've been around the last few years when Rochester faded the last 1 to 2 weeks of the season.  This team is different in many respects, and to me better.  All teams have their off days/series'.  Cortland had team, RPI had team, Skidmore had team, etc., etc.  I'm not writing Rochester off at all!!!  They have much to prove to the nay sayors.  They have three goals they've set for themselves this season; win the Liberty League Tournament, get to the regionals, and win 30+ games.  Don't get me wrong, facing Skidmore again in the tournament will be interesting, as will playing the other participants.  They need to win 3 from Clarkson to realize one of their goals, and move up to the next level.  These guys can do it!!!

[DefenseWins]

Got word that Paul Mound was coaching with Reynolds after Unions firing of the former coaching staff. The person they hired was hired because of his familys relationship with the college, had zero coaching expierience, and from what i heard did a AWFUL job with the kids he had at Union. Congrats to Paul and shame on unions "superiors" for hiring based on politics rather than who was qualified and who deserved the job based on expierience and baseball pedigree. Hopefully this program does not suffer for this wrongdoing

[airball55]

Rochester thumped by St. John Fisher 10-2.  Tough weekend for them at Clarkson where they traditionally don't have a lot of success.  Some good ball up north with that DH and RPI at St. Lawrence. 

[AlleyCat]

Another big weekend in the LL. Rochester at Clarkson, RPI at St Lawrence and Skidmore / Union. Any predictions on the outcomes this weekend?

Rochester and Clarkson  - Split
RPI and St Lawrence - RPI 3 of 4
Skidmore and Union - Skidmore 3 of 4

Rochester 19-5
Skidmore 14-6
Clarkson 12-8
RPI 12-8
St Lawrence 10-10

Just my thoughts...

[airball55]

Solid predictions.  I screwed up an earlier post, Rochester travels to Clarkson not the other way around.  I am right on board with those.  I could see RPI waking up and getting St. Lawrence for four, but that may be a stretch.  If Clarkson pitches well, I could see them going for a series win against Rochester.  Vassar had a nice win yesterday against New Paltz.  LL on the rise!

[BoomerIL]

Rochester thumped by St. John Fisher 10-2.  Tough weekend for them at Clarkson where they traditionally don't have a lot of success.  Some good ball up north with that DH and RPI at St. Lawrence. 

For once.....I'm speechless!!!!!